Here is a short exercise for those seeking to practice the presence of God. I will go through the whole passage listed below, but here is verse 9. Questions or feedback is welcome? Just contact me via email.
Colossians 1:9-23
(9) For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
ð “Heard” – hearing is a part of spirit life. In this case what they heard was news about the “love in the Spirit” of the Colossians. We can encounter the work of God by listening to what is happing in the world and understanding how that relates to His will and ways.
ð “Ceased to pray” – Paul had not stopped his thankfulness, petitions or request for the people of Colossi. Natural news resulted in an ongoing spiritual activity. The news and lives of the people of Colossians were connected to God through the life of prayer in Paul and his team. We can bring world events into the Kingdom of God through prayer, praise and worship.
ð “Filled with the knowledge of His will” – knowledge of the will of God is vital for living a life with God. This knowledge may be the understanding that right now God has me in the dark, but knowing that gives you understanding that you are in fellowship with Him. There are many times in life when God does not speak, and in doing so, we learn to hear His voice and are drawn even closer to His side.
ð “Spiritual wisdom” – God made us with mental ability as well as with emotions and personality. One personality type believes it is necessary to do a task in an organized way to be right, another person believes the task can be done in any way by any means. We see things differently. There is a wisdom that transcends all the natural components of who we are and unites us in Christ. We must not only deal with our fallen state, but also the condition that we are created beings who are all made differently by our creator. Getting alone is something that is only possible in Him and through Him. Without Him other motives and drives rule the relationships and activities of our lives.
o James 3:15-18 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. (16) For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. (17) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. (18) And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
ð “Understanding” – intelligence and enlightenment are a part of the life God gives. We are not given a life that divides spiritual wisdom from intelligence; we were made to be one person, one being. All the complicated elements of our life fit and work together. Our natural self and our spirit self do the same. We are not mostly one part or the other. We are whole, united, and complete.
Life with God is fellowship. This fellowship does not bypass the natural self. Once the Spirit indwells us again and brings new life to our being, we can live without broken fellowship with God. This contact includes our bodies, minds, spirits, emotions, will and senses. Lifting your hand to God is like talking to God if it is in your heart to do so. Desiring God to be near is like abstaining from food, if you are doing and desiring it for His glory.
Are there ways you deny your everyday ongoing relationship with God because it is so “everyday’ and lacking in the excitement you want?
Are you looking for spiritual experiences to validate your standing with the Lord or do you find contentment in living out who Christ Jesus is in you and who He made you to be?
Are you content to have natural thoughts about God or is pride pushing you to only have spiritual thoughts? Do you want to go beyond the place and conditions that God has for you now? Why?
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